HeyRuaHow to say “sow” in Irish
- Irish:
- cráin
- English:
- sow, female animal, fat slovenly woman
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine, fifth declension
- Pronunciation:
- “krawn” /kɾˠɑːnʲ/
- Plural:
- cránacha (sows)
- Genitive singular:
- cránach, na cránach (e.g. ál na cránach, the sow's litter)
- Genitive plural:
- cránacha, na gcránacha (e.g. bia na gcránacha, the sows' food)
What does “cráin” mean?
“Cráin” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- sow
- An adult female pig, especially one that has had a litter of piglets.Also: female pig, breeding sow.
2 other meanings: female animal or fat slovenly woman
- 2female animal
- The female of certain other animals, such as the crab, goose or bee.Also: female crab, queen bee.
- 3fat slovenly woman
- An insulting word for a large or slovenly woman.Also: sow, cow, slattern.
Other Irish words for sow: plandaigh (plant)
“Cráin” with the article
The plural of sow in Irish is cránacha. Here is cráin after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Cráin” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using cráin, the Irish word for sow.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Sow in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for sow?
The Irish for sow is cráin (pronounced “krawn”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is cránacha. Depending on context it can also mean female animal or fat slovenly woman.
How do you pronounce cráin in Irish?
Cráin is said like “krawn” (IPA /kɾˠɑːnʲ/).
What is the plural of sow in Irish?
The plural of cráin is cránacha; with the article, na cránacha means “the sows”. The genitive plural is cránacha, as in bia na gcránacha (the sows' food).
Does cráin have more than one meaning?
Yes. Cráin can mean sow, female animal or fat slovenly woman, depending on context; the first is the most common.
Why does cráin change to chráin or gcráin?
Irish changes the start of some words after certain words. After mo (my) cráin becomes mo chráin (lenition), and after ár (our) or i (in) it becomes ár gcráin (eclipsis).
What is the difference between 'cráin' and 'muc'?
'Muc' is the general word for a pig, while 'cráin' is specifically a breeding female pig, a sow; a boar is 'torc' or 'collach'.
What does the proverb 'más ionúin an chráin is ionúin an t-ál' mean?
Literally 'if the sow is dear, the litter is dear', it is like the English 'love me, love my dog'.
